Chef Mark Mattern, MBA, CEC

Life is a about change and making the best of the opportunities that are presented to you. Chef Mattern is doing just that. May your Holiday be wonderful and your 2012 be a grand.

In life things do not always appear in the present as you may have planned in the past. At these times we may look back and make statements, "I wish I would have" or "if I would have". These statements and thoughts can lead a person down a path of self pity and possiblity to a point of dispare. But if you find life gives you lemons- make lemonaid. A good cook and see an ingredient add the elements of balance search out a zest of life and make something that was in the present sour but now a refreshing. This gift is special and if learned well any cook and make the world a better place- one meal, one bite, one experience, or one drink of lemonaid to share with others. That knowledge brings personal happiness to others and may find that that happiest overflows into your own life. That is what I will be sharing with you as I outline my journey of lemons to lemonaid. It starts with great friends and a supportive loving family. Like any great recipe it is the ingredien...

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher It is time to begin moving on in life whenever you feel stuck in a job, relationship, or other situation. If you have had a relationship break up, or have been fired, find constructive ways to let go of the past, move on, and build a great new life. Is it easy to move on? No, it is almost never easy to let go of the past. Often, gathering the courage to move on in your life can be one of the hardest challenges you have ever faced. It is completely natural and the essence of human nature, to want to cling to the familiar and to shy away from the new and the unfamiliar. We are creatures of habit. We want to believe that tomorrow will be just like yesterday - even if yesterday was unpleasant. It takes courage to make the difficult choice to change how one lives, where one calls home, what job or career one identifies with, a...

Join the Chefs and Foodies of Jacksonville in Fun Food event at Everbank field. Learn about joining the ACF first coast chapter and Levy Restaurants during the JAGS season. Bragging rights for the winning team in Volleyball!! Great food, friends and foodies!

Faculty, Students and Staff; It is with a heartfelt tone that I write this note. The past 4 years of my experience at the Art Institute of Jacksonville has been a journey. I have spoken at each orientation and to so many of you personally over the past four years about the journey you are embarking on when you began your educational experience. At this time, I am reminded that I have traveled that journey with you. It brings a smile to my face. I am proud of what we have accomplished and what you will continue to achieve. My memories are fond and extensive of the many milestones we have shared together. I personally feel that I have shared part of my soul with you, through the history, culture and science of food that we live here on campus and in our community through events. We have cooked together, talked together, ate together, met challenges together, and have always learned along the way. Our faculty are the best! I have been so very proud to serve them- and serve you! Leadersh...

Vacuum Vacuum sealing is used in the process of sous vide cooking to remove air from the cooking pouch. In a commercial kitchen this is usually done with a chamber vacuum sealer which creates a low pressure environment in and around the bag during the sealing process. This prevents liquids from being sucked from the bag. A non-chamber household vacuum sealer creates a low pressure zone only at the opening of the bag, resulting in suction that will remove not only air but also liquids from the bag. Another use of vacuum sealers is to seal food with the intent of preserving flavor, color and aroma. By storing food in an air-free environment, the oxidation process is minimized. It is important to consider food safety aspects as some bacteria can thrive without oxygen. As with any cooking method, it is critical to observe proper food handling protocols and storage temperatures. An awareness of temperature is also important during the process of vacuum sealing. As air pressure decreases the...

http://www.pga.com/seniorpga/2011/hospitality/ The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid is the most prestigious Major Championship in senior golf. It brings together both the legends of the game and the newest members of senior professional golf to audiences throughout the United States. Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Paul Azinger, Jay Haas, reigning Champion Tom Lehman and Kentucky's own Kenny Perry, Russ Cochran, and Ted Schulz are among the 156 players eligible to compete at Valhalla.